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An independent investigation into the death of a six-year-old boy has called for Bedfordshire council to ensure domestic violence reports made by a child are followed up with interviews with the child, writes Derren Hayes.

It is one of 10 recommendations made by Ron Lock, chairperson of the Bedfordshire and Luton area child protection committee (ACPC) serious case review group, and author of the report into the killing of Jason Hill by his father last August.

Jason's father Peter Hill, of Shotstown, Bedfordshire, was detained indefinitely under the mental Health Act after admitting manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The Part 8 case review said Jason’s death highlighted the need to improve inter-agency communications, and the requirement to ensure that risk assessments should be ‘child-centred’.

Jason was seen twice by the duty social worker with his father present, but on both occasions his father was in control of the situation, and didn’t allow the professionals to have any meaningful contact with Jason, the report said.

‘These contacts, apart from seeing that Child C (Jason) appeared physically well, fell far short of any attempt to engage Child C in the process of assessment and to ascertain his wishes and feelings,’ it adds. As a result professional interventions became more adult, rather than child focused as it was felt Jason’s father’s mental health could suffer if he was removed from his care.

A copy of the full report summary is available at www.bedfordshire.gov.uk